For Immediate, Rhythmic Release
San Jose, Calif., Enter Music Publishing’s third annual DRUM! Night was quite a hit. The event, a benefit for San Jose’s Lincoln High, featured diverse drum concerts and clinics by world-respected drummers and local legends. The third annual benefit, which also included a raffle and silent auction, rocked the San Jose Repertory Theater on August. 10.
“Enter Music Publishing really has made it a commitment to conduct events like this for the good of music education,” said Phil Hood, publisher and co-founder of the company. “Let’s face it. These days, high schools need help from the community to keep music in the educational mix. DRUM! Night, without a doubt, was an attempt to demonstrate the power of drumming to high school-age musicians.”
Paul Bostaph’s Beat Recognized: A BADAAS
Among the highlights of DRUM! Night was the awarding of the second annual BADAAS Award (Bay Area Drummers Achievement Awards) to Paul Bostaph, the local metal star who has been a key member of Slayer, Testament, and other bands.
Last year Mike Bordin (Soundgarden) won the inaugural award. Bostaph, who hails from Newark, Calif., and came to fame playing with Forbidden, before moving on to Slayer, Exodus, and Testament. In his acceptance speech he thanked all the drummers and companies, who have stood behind him throughout his career.
Pre-Event Percussive Highlights: From San Jose Taiko To Roland’s V-Drums Lab
Before the event, San Jose Taiko performed a street concert outside the theater. Inside, Roland set up a V-Drums Lab, so attendees could check out the latest and greatest from the electronic drum manufacturer.
Nate Brown’s Syncopated Stick Tricks And Legendary Drum Kits
In addition, Online Drummer’s Nate Brown performed a stick tricks clinic for the assembed drummers. At the same time, Drummers Tradition of San Rafael, Calif. created a mini-museum of vintage drum kits including a Ronnie Montrose set (originally played by Denny Carmassi) and the set used on Rick James “SuperFly.” Other exhibitions included Louie Bellson memorabilia and Power Wrist Builders.
Kenny Aronoff, above, has played with everyone from John Cougar and the Stones to Sting and Smashing Pumpkins
Kenny Aronoff’s Signature Session
Kenny AronoffKenny Aronoff, the all-world session and touring ace who has played on dozens of top hits wowed the crowd with some of the hits from Mellencamp, Smashing Pumpkins, and others he’s recorded or performed with. He described the tension of playing inaugurations and major Kennedy Center Events. He also provided great advice to drummers. He noted to the drummers in attendance that if they want a career in music, “Hard work is not just something you do for four years in college. It’s your whole life.”
During another performance, Tim Yeung (Morbid Angel, Divine Heresy) performed a high-octane set of metal grooves. During discussion with the audience he emphasized the role of listening and relationships, among band members, friends, and musicians and audiences.
Cora Coleman-Dunham inspired the audience with her trio’s power and sophistication. Tim Yeung (right) played a burning set of metal.
Prince Drummer Participates
Cora Coleman-Dunham and her trio with husband Josh Dunham, put aside their busy touring/recording schedule to attend DRUM! Night. The two of them anchored Prince’s 2010-2011 percussive lineups. Her set featured great improvisation and melodies she played on her tuned drum set, as well as big funky grooves.
Takin’ It To The Streets
Street Drum Corps emceed the show. They surprised the audience with an early concert as ticketholders were filing into the venue. Then, grabbing their found instruments, they marched into the crowd, delivering a wild street performance inside the theater. Between acts, the Corps also introduced artists, and entertained the crowd.
A Worthy Cause
The DRUM! Night 2012 concert raises money for the Lincoln High School music programs in San Jose. The Raffle and Silent Auction raised thousands for the school and its band programs. Lucky raffle winners walked off with a Gretsch Drum Kit, and sets of Zildjian and Sabian cymbals.
About DRUM! Night
DRUM! Night is an annual event held by DRUM! Magazine in conjunction with San Jose Jazz SummerFest to promote drumming and benefit local music education. The event is supported by generous industry sponsors including DW Drums, Zildjian, ddrum, Sabian, Tama, Vic Firth, Remo, Vater, Samson, Gretsch, Yamaha, Roland, Meinl, Ahead, and Axis. The event is greatly enhanced by the support of the San Jose Downtown Association and the media support of San Jose Metro.
About Enter Music Publishing
Founded in San Jose, CA in 1991, Enter Music Publishing, Inc. is a leading publisher of informative and entertaining drum and music-related media, with distribution in 40 countries. DRUM! Magazine is the company’s flagship publication and continues to set the industry standard for editorial quality and innovation. Enter Music Publishing, Inc. also publishes drummagazine.com, a leading drum-related Web site. The company’s mission is to be the best source of drumming news and information in the world.